More companies distance themselves from Paula Deen

(RNN) - More companies have ended their relationship with Southern celebrity chef Paula Deen, while another says they'll "take a pause" in their relationship with the celebrity chef.

Sears and JCPenny announced Friday that they will no longer carry her cookware or any other of her products.

Home shopping network QVC seemed to leave a door open for future appearances when they said they would "take a pause." But they added that Deen would not be appearing on any upcoming broadcasts on the network.

"Some of you may wonder whether this is a 'forever' decision – whether we are simply ending our association with Paula. We don't think that's how relationships work. People deserve second chances. And we always strive to do the right thing," said Mike George, president and CEO of QVC.

Deen also released a statement saying "As you know, I have some important things to work on right now, both personally and professionally. And so we've agreed that it's best for me to step back from QVC and focus on setting things right."

As she has throughout the week, Deen also re-iterated "I am truly sorry and I will work hard to earn your forgiveness."

Other companies seemed less open to leaving the door open. On Thursday, Novo Nordisk, Target Corp. and Home Depot all dropped Deen in light of her recent scandal in which she admitted using racial slurs.

Novo Nordisk, which manufactures diabetes medicine, said in a statement they and Deen have mutually agreed to suspend her activities with the company.

Novo Nordisk and Paula Deen have mutually agreed to suspend our patient education activities for now, while she takes time to focus her attention where it is needed. Novo Nordisk would like to acknowledge Paula's involvement in our Diabetes in a New Light™ campaign, where she has helped make many people aware of type 2 diabetes and the lifestyle changes needed to control this serious disease.

Deen has promoted the diabetes drug Victoza, manufactured by Novo Nordisk, since revealing her highly criticized diagnoses of Type II diabetes in 2012.

Adding to the growing list of companies that has dropped Deen, Home Depot will no longer sell her items online, and Target Corp. said once Deen's merchandise is sold out, the inventory will not be replaced.

"We have made a decision to phase out the Paula Deen merchandise in our stores as well as on Target.com. Once the merchandise is sold out, we will not be replenishing inventory," spokeswoman Molly Snyder said to CNN.

Deen supporters made their way to Target's Facebook page Wednesday and begged the retailer not to sever ties with Deen.

However, once the word got out that Deen was dropped, some Target customer's weren't pleased.

"You dropped Paula I drop you!!! I spent over $7,000 in your store, and the last $500 within the past 3 months!! Peace out yo!" said Em Santes on Target's Facebook page.

"Apparently I thought way too highly of this company. My mistake," Shannon Mills Pafferoth also said on Target's Facebook page.

The loss of sponsorships including The Food Network, Smithfield, Caesar's Palace and Walmart leaves Deen's multi-million dollar empire in question.